Over a month into the school year, and many eyes have turned to the local sports teams. Football games bring full stadiums, the track team wins medals at meets, and the wrestling team has done well over the years. This is considered especially impressive due to the financial constraints that Grand County High has been facing. Budget cuts have done its damage to the sports department alongside the school curriculum. With the government shutdown, many can’t help but wonder what effect this will have on everyday life, as well as the schools.

Some are less concerned. The slashing of activity budget, and possibly sports teams in the process, is thought to be necessary in order to focus on protecting classes. Over the years Grand County High has already lost some of its Honors programs and a good portion of its teachers, not to mention language and art programs. Though recent construction has given the district a new K-6 school, a new tech center at the high school, and plans for a university, those construction ventures have had little effect on the actual curriculum thus far. It is entirely possible that more classes will be lost due to lack of money.

Still, others are of the opinion that sports are important to the community and the school. Athletics have also been shown to help the development of children and teenagers by teaching teamwork, social skills, and honesty. Education has been benefited by sports as well, encouraging the students to have better grades and attendance. Before classes, sports teams are the most likely to be cut. As of right now the sports teams rely somewhat on donations and fundraisers to stay afloat. This is sad news to those that fill those football stadiums, or those who wish to start new teams at the school, such as lacrosse. Right now, the school could hardly afford a lacrosse helmet, let alone a whole team.

The preferable notion would be to not lose anything, but that seems increasingly less likely. A choice has to be made, and the citizens of Moab may lose either way.

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